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Two-dimensional Bi nanosheets as an enhanced electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction

  • Original Paper: Nano-structured materials (particles, fibers, colloids, composites, etc.)
  • Published:
Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution is an exercisable way to achieve large-scale application of hydrogen energy. It is of great significance to develop an effect, stable, and cost-effective electrocatalyst. Here, we applied the two-dimensional (2D) bismuth (Bi) to the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution, and proposed the strategies to enhance the catalytic performance of the catalyst. Due to more active sites located along the edges of 2D structure, Bi nanosheets revealed a higher electrocatalytic activity (overpotential of −958 mV vs RHE at 10 mA cm−2, Tafel slope of 122 mV/dec) than the bulk counterpart. To further evaluate the electrocatalytic performance of Bi nanosheets, the typical parameters measured in different H+ concentration (C[H+]) are carried out. The improved catalytic activity obtained in 0.5 M H2SO4 is attributed to enhancing the hydrogen adsorption and accelerating the charge transport on the surface of catalyst. Moreover, the durability of Bi nanosheets has been texted, where the current is not evident fluctuation during the 40,000 s electrolysis measurement indicating its excellent stability. The present work expands the application of Bi in the catalysis and provides the simple strategies to improve its hydrogen evolution performance.

Highlights

  • The Bismuth nanosheet are successfully exfoliated by the sonication assisted liquid-phase exfoliation.

  • The exfoliated 2D Bi has the enhanced electrocatalytic activity compared to the bulk counterpart.

  • Bi nanosheets show an excellent durability in the long-term stability test.

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Acknowledgements

The research was partially supported by the Provincial Natural Science Foundation of Hunan (No. 2019JJ50612), Open Fund based on innovation platform of Hunan colleges and universities (No. 18K032), and Scientific Research Fund of Hunan Provincial Education Department (No. 18A059), as well as the Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University (Grant No. IRT_17R91). The authors thank Zongyu Huang, Yang Zhou, and Gengcheng Liao for proof reading the paper. The authors thank Huanting Liu, Hui Qiao, and Xiang Qi for all helpful advices. The authors also thank Yundan Liu for the technical help.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hunan Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Energy Materials and Devices and Laboratory for Quantum Engineering and Micro-Nano Energy Technology, School of Physics and Optoelectronics, Xiangtan University, Hunan, P. R. China

    Chenguang Duan, Huating Liu, Zongyu Huang, Hui Qiao, Yang Zhou, Gengcheng Liao, Yundan Liu & Xiang Qi

  2. Hunan Key Laboratory of two-dimensional materials, Hunan University, Changsha, China

    Zongyu Huang

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  1. Chenguang Duan
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  2. Huating Liu
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Correspondence to Zongyu Huang or Yundan Liu.

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Duan, C., Liu, H., Huang, Z. et al. Two-dimensional Bi nanosheets as an enhanced electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 99, 132–139 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-021-05562-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-021-05562-6

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